The Risen Media Worship Band

 At a recent meeting of the band we settled for the name The Risen Media Worship Band for the meantime. - It says what it is.

We are playing in September and October. Dates are on the facebook page under events.

 

what’s going on

I had a really good chat yesterday with a couple of folks about worship and praise in the Highlands. Over the years I have hoped for progress in developing a clearer praise worthy set up in the highlands . This was part of Hiland praise. 

I am encouraged with this first chat and hope to express progress in the future. 

A tale of two crofts

 Recently Amazon have issued the published book by Anne Beer called "A tale of two crofts", tracking two branches of Mackays in Sutherland around the Lairg and Rogart area and then also abroad.

This is a good collection of thoughts and family history with an insight into crofting in Sutherland after the clearances.

Highland challenge

I am still concerned for those in the highlands of Scotland who feel isolated with regard to Christian fellowship and getting together with like minded people.

Its not all about big venues and large worship meetings but it is good to engage with like minded folks.

Is there a need for a communication that helps?

Questionnaire started

 Highland Questionnaire


I am delighted with the beginning of the questionnaire period. It will take a bit of time to accumulate feedback. Already had a response from south London!  ( not quiet Highlands) so that comes out of the pot.  It will take a few minutes, so sit down take 5,  and help me gather some information. 

 

Click here like the rest have and we can carry out the research. We need you and some other contacts.

 Highland Questionnaire

Come on then, time to help me...!

Help me with the ...

Highland Scotland Questionnaire

Thank you for taking part in the questionnaire.
You should be in the Highlands of Scotland to complete this request.

Hiland Praise would like to ask you to help us with a questionnaire covering Church, Fellowship Faith building and Worship.

 I am trying to ascertain the level of isolation and see what can be done to help those in geographically isolated places in the Highlands of Scotland.  Some research was carried out some 10 years ago and I thought it time we sought to find out what it is like now in the Highlands.

 

 You responses are private and used in an acumulative manner. If you provide your e mail address we will keep it safe and use it only as agreed. We will not share the address with any other organisation. However you should know that Google is the provider of the blog and Google forms where the questionnaire is centered and will have access to the details. 

If you have seen this questionnaire, or been sent it from more than one person we ask that you only complete it once. However please feel free to send it to others so they can take part. The more we have the better our spread of results will be.

Link was refreshed 11.30am 12 June 2018

Click the link below

Highland Questionnaire

Highland Church Part five

Despite the challenges of the North and the Presbyterian culture, there can be new pockets of witness, like Dingwall, where I had a vision for a church way back in 1982,- but the work does need commitment. 

The roving activities of someone building relations is important in addressing the Baptist cause. A lack of relationship will surely reduce any possibility of growth. If we are there at the start of the new work in Fortrose then we have an opportunity to help it grow and add value! Strategically there is lots to consider in the Highlands if looking at a Baptist increase in Witness. 

Firstly What is there to be done where might the focus be? Monthly mass worship in different areas? A quasi church that accommodates some who are members of other churches. An electronic fellowship to link those with distance difficulties. What skills are required. Who are key people with a vision and contacts. What sort of budget is required to move forward. Who will fund such a plan. Who has the commitment for year on year work.

 There is a real difference in church life between the Highlands and the Central belt.

Few appreciate the differences and culture that still exists in the Highlands. Nevertheless. the Baptist witness still has an opportunity to captivate people who are not so drawn to a Presbyterian church form. Concluding thought In a wide spread area it is difficult to pull relationships to have a sense of community in church life. There is a difference between a few Christians getting together regularly and a group wishing to constitute as a church.

A Baptist witness in the Highlands needs to have a clear strategy taking into consideration the Highland culture and investing resources in a long term work with mini “splashes“ as a way of promoting both the Kingdom and Baptist Union. Work may not simply rise up from one corner, and therefore the personnel all need to be flexible in “co-coordinating” work rather than “pinned” to a specific geographical area. I have observed that North folks like to see continuity of personnel and a 7 year plan headed by a “known” person will have a good kick start effect on the work. In my time rubbing shoulders with various Free churches in the Highlands there are many active people with a measure of Baptist conviction but found in their parents Church which is not Baptist. What is needed is a concerted group effort assisted and supported by neighbouring Baptist Churches to address the only alternative to Presbyterianism in the Highlands. Churches be they small, who have recently be created tend to affiliate or take pastor leading from those who they know. 

A Baptist increase presence in the Highlands could encourage groups to grow and in turn constitute to a Baptist fellowship. I sense if we are not there at the beginning we will never be able to help. Finally I would encourage any strategic plan to be most of all encouraging groups to “listen to God” All leaflets and correspondence need to be measured against this observation. Baptists have taken 250 years to conclude their theology,new churches are only on the road to discovery. However right from the start Baptist understanding should be incorporated and I am sure that this “fresh to the hearers” approach will strike a warm cord. A feedback session from Church representatives from neighbouring Baptist churches would be a good starting point to formulate a strategy, a plan, and the implementing of a blessed work.

 May God add to our numbers and maturity as we seek his face.

Steam trains through the Highlands

Going North 12 April

The last two days have seen the steam train go North to Caithness and today(13/4/2007) return on its way south via Inverness.

Rogart flood 26 Oct 2006

This clip was taken at lunch time. I m sure there will be a lot of news regarding the flooding in the Highlands and in particular DINGWALL AT HIGH TIDE 2.30PM.

Acolytes ...bring them back?

Again and again throughout history we see that practice has been distorted or lost e.g. It is ironic that in a Presbyterian or non Presbyterian Independent circle we hear frequently of Bishops, Presbyters, Elders and even Deaconesses, yet in the Church of AD250 below this level of authority there were Sub-Deacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Readers and Janitors! (I am not aware of many current Acolytes in the Presbyterian or Independent circles, are you?) Acolyte

Story ...continues

Richard Cameron was born in Falkland, Fife. After a formal education Cameron took up the post as School Master at his birth village. He moved to the borders for a change in church life as he was having difficulty in speaking out against the system. He was taking on a covenanting conviction and at that time the borders were more sympathetic. John Welch of Irongay got to know Cameron and impressed upon him that he should take up the licence to preach. Despite Cameron's concerns as to becoming a root of bitterness in the camp he was indeed licensed. He never lacked for a crowd to which to preach, and his best sermons were open air communions, the first of which was at Maybole, Ayrshire. He became troubled with the difficulty in what, he wished to preach, and what was acceptable and for a time, moved to Holland.
In Holland the Scots Kirk would have been a little haven for him. As he preached to the folk gathered there, giving him recognition and to this end McWard gave him an additional charge of sorting out the decline in the standard of gospel presentation in Scotland.
After Donald Cargill wrote the Queensferry paper, a new covenant based and similar to the Rutherglen declaration Cameron compiled the Sanquhar declaration. While his father was in jail in Fife for a godly cause Cameron found himself at loggerheads with the King's army. 21st June 1769 was the Battle of Bothwell Bridge and in June 1680 he prophesied that actions to follow would shake the throne of Britain. Eight years later as he stood fearless in battle, it was fulfilled. He stood for a Godly nation, Protestant and Presbyterian. At Ayrsmoss on the bleak moors Cameron and his followers stood against the King's army as predicted 8 years earlier.
After the Battle the Armed Forces took his severed hands and head to Edinburgh. An observer in Edinburgh noted "these are the hands and head of one that lived praying and preaching and died praying and fighting." Cameron had renewed the determination for those in the struggle of open faith.

The story... continues

Counter Reformation

During the middle of the 16 Century the church based in Rome sought to reunite the church. Pope Paul III continued to use of the Inquisition. It had been successful in closing Italian protestant growth.
With the Catholic counter reformation started the zeal for revival missionary work was taking a fresh hold and in particular in Spain. From the council of Trent Roman reforms were starting but not as fast or as much as the church on the ground wanted. With the Pope endorsing public interpretation of scripture, bishops preaching, and teaching taking place in parishes these were good signs of an establishing revolution by the new pope Paul IV. Dominicans and Franciscans eagerly shaped the work. But in Scotland by 1557 the first covenants (bonds) were signed by several earls and lords which declared their intention to overthrow the Roman Church.

One person who shaped Scottish Presbyterianism more than John Knox was Andrew Melville (1545-1622). After study at St Andrew's and Geneva Melville returned to Scotland in 1574 on the request of the bishop of Glasgow. As a “Charismatic” teacher who made Glasgow a city of learning , he also influenced the seats of learning in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. He for a time lectured in Oxford and Cambridge (1584) whilst he had fled from king James VI's Earl of Arran who wanted to imprison him. Melville was rector of St Andrew's between 1590-1597.

and Again on target...The Story

John Knox
John Knox (1513-72) is looked upon as the main Scottish figure of the reformation of 1560. Knox fled to Europe to escape Mary Tudor's Queen-ship which started in 1553. He was heavily influenced by Calvin. Originally from Haddington he returned to the area to marry a Berwick girl. She died 5 years later in 1560. Know married again to Margaret Stewart daughter of Lord Ochiltree in 1564 and had three daughters. Knox having made much encouragement to the Scottish Churches from abroad, now being home found himself head to head with the Catholic Queen Mary who was invited back by the protestant lords to the throne on the condition that she upheld the protestant faith.

Knox could not stomach a Catholic Queen and as soon as she was back in Scotland Mary Queen of Scots found herself being preached against. Despite strong open debate in the public eye Knox continued to preach against her at St Giles Edinburgh. The political unrest got complicated and Knox moved to Ayrshire and after, the treat of murder and civil war he moved to St Andrew's in 1570. Although Knox rejected Roman Catholicism and worship on the spiritual grounds there were also political and economic reasons.

The Story continues

Reformation
Early in the sixteenth century reformation was taking place in Europe. Luther was giving account as to his thoughts and writings. Between 1532 and 1533 Calvin experienced a sudden conversion. His Institutes were published in 1536. He recognised two sacraments Baptism and The lords Supper. In 1537 he declared the ordnances “that Christ had instituted in the church four offices Pastor, Teacher, Elder and Deacon". A new Catechism was prepared and he found himself in the biggest struggle (1548-1555) as the people of Geneva felt swamped by all the “refugees” from Europe gathered in the city.

For Scotland, in the beginning of that century it was still a poor and backward country. Smarting from the defeats of Flodden (1513) Solwaymoss (1542) Pinkie (1547) it found itself still not under the control of England. Both England and France were keen to build relations with Scotland to out win the other. The Douglas family favoured England the Hamiltons -France.
Protestant beginnings started with Patrick Hamilton. Cardinal Beaton and the French put up a strong "holding work" for the Catholic Church. George Wishart (1513-1546) was burned by Cardinal Beaton on 2 March 1546. on the 29 of may Beaton in revenge for Wishart was brutally murdered and his wife fled to Fife. (yes he had a wife). 1547 saw a hunted protestant preacher and friend of Wishart become their spiritual leader, John Knox Scottish reformation hero.

Dornoch flowers on a summers day in May.

A thriving community of gardeners was seen in Dornoch on the Tenth of May with temperatures reaching 20.


Enterprise update

Good to hear that the Scottish Executive is going to package up the enterprise company shortfalls.


Churches that are Non- Presbyterian( and Evangelical)

An other interesting conversation at the weekend centred around the setting up and encouraging of Non-Presbyterian churches not in oppostion to the existing various Presbyterian but as an alternative expression of worship and praise in the community for those who:

• are relatively new to the area and have had the benefit of other expressions of worship

• for those in the Highlands who would prefer a contemporary church practice

• For those who are looking for an independent/or congregationalism authority in the church meeting

Before you get on your hobby horse there are many in the Highlands who would have a preference to non Presbyterian style of Church. It is easily forgotten that some of these Non-Presbyterian Churches existed in the Highlands before the now established and several Free Churches.


I am sure there is a need for a variety of expressions of Church praise in the Highlands. I am also encouraged with the recent signs of these expressions being promoted.

Adders in the Highlands

On Saturday I came across my first sighting of an adder the poisonous viper found in the Highlands more so when Spring turns to Summer.

Here you see it against the size of a foot so it was probably a fairly young one. In these parts they have been spotted as long as three feet.

This one was sun bathing at Ferrycroft, Lairg and our walking partner ushered me away from accidentally standing on it.

There was excitement in the group as none of us had seen an adder before. The weather has certainly changed. For how long?

The Mound...The Mound

The Mound at "the Mound" not Edinburgh.-Taken today!

Highland Theological College

It's pleasing for the Highlands to note that the Church of Scotland General Assembly will be asked to confirm the Highland Theological College as an approved academic provider alongside Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews. This will be the first for 70 plus years. The distance learning facility will be made use of moreso if this approval is given at Assembly later this month.

I am looking for a list of Non-Presbyterian Evangelical Churches in the Highlands.

Does anyone have such a list or if started, would anyone be interested in submitting their Church to such a list?

Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland are to work together in a Covenant.

“There is one religion, though there are 100 versions of it” George Bernard Shaw.

I am encouraged by the news of both the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland are to work together in a Covenant. Rather than argue over technicalities the notion of actually working together has taken precedence. Well done, both organisations.

Now then, who will be next to join forces for a specific work? Whether one is Presbyterian or Independent/Congregationalist in terms of Local Church Government, and there are pluses and minuses on both sides, it would be encouraging for grass roots church-goers to see work carried out by several Churches at local and national level. I would be interested in hearing of such work.

The story....Part two

What to expect
I have seen many Independent constitutions over the years and one thing that sticks out is the wording in these constitutions tells us of the fears of the founders and how they would write into the founding documents a safeguard for the organisation or more strongly a case for allowing or more specifically not allowing certain things to take place with in the constituted organisation.
One thing about history is clear, soon after any research one can discover that many people were fervent for a cause! Something that is not so clear in human nature these days is that drive for the cause. We are keen to defend the rights of ailing animals, so they will not suffer yet we have other more pressing needs that seem to be deflected or ignored. The Church in the nation and its catalytic place in turning the nation to worship.

I would urge you to look at the Church, and in particular the Church in Scotland and to conclude your findings in the light of my thoughts.

Sir John Sinclair Statistical Account
Don't expect a summary as concise or detailed as Sir John's account from the late 18 century. This record has greatly been of benefit to historians giving a detailed local snapshot of the area and including the church. It would be an enormous task too try and emulate the information collecting and documenting in these days even if the locals were to cooperate with the answers and provide the information.
One thing is true the Church will only grow if God blesses the work, and the people respond to the calling to integrate with the nation's people. The lessons of being set apart from the world is a spiritual walk not a call for us all to become monks.